Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 441



Only Noblemtl

441. Reunion (3)

From then on, under the leadership of No. 21, the group’s journey continued without any major problems.

?Eek! Look at this! Woman! Man! This guy isn’t breathing again! This guy is really an evil spirit from hell!

Of course, when Sung Hwang left for a moment to attend a political meeting, the surprised Barsha barbarians turned pale and caused a brief uproar.

-Ugh! What the hell is this jerky? Mr. 21! Surely this isn’t revenge for the ink strawberry from earlier?

There were minor incidents, such as Edith spitting out all the jerky that tasted like gall while walking.

But other than that, it was a relatively peaceful and smooth journey. Basically, everyone had stamina, and they were Auror users who didn’t get tired easily.

The party crossed the wasteland at a rapid pace. Occasionally, a hungry Edith would lick her lips and look at 21. Naturally, 21 began to worry about the flame barrier she possessed.

‘That bitter taste. His Majesty said it was definitely because of the salt barrier created by that maid.’

Although it was still a relatively unfamiliar concept, fortunately No. 21 had some knowledge of the salt barrier.

Why not? Wasn’t he the first disciple who received many vague teachings from the Holy Emperor when he was just beginning to grow up?

-Enrique. In order to master the powers given to you, you must first understand the basic principles by which the world you belong to operates.

-What kind of principle is that? Other people don’t seem to know much about that. Bart, isn’t that too grandiose?

-Everyone is simply overlooking its importance. Listen, Enrique. When you establish your own will upon the great void, it will immediately become a firm image, and all auras will follow this image and naturally reach materialization… … .

-No, Bart. I asked about basic Auror training. Can’t you just teach me how to use an Auror?

-… What have you heard from what I have explained so far?

… Looking back, it wasn’t a very helpful class.

Anyway, No. 21, who had carefully thought back on the previous situations, concluded that some kind of salt barrier existed within a certain range based on Edith’s hand. There were no particular problems when eating with proper utensils.

‘Is it because I held it with my own hands that it’s the cause?’

After some thought, Number 21 managed to obtain a long wooden skewer and threaded the pieces of jerky onto it. Then he carefully placed it in Edith’s hand.

“Hmm… Huh? This tastes good, doesn’t it?”

Fortunately, this time there was no taste of gall. Feeling relieved, Edith soon became excited and began to eat the pieces of jerky one by one.

* * *

The party arrived at the village of Tere a little earlier than expected, as the sun was setting.

“Everyone, please take note.”

Stopping on a hill overlooking the village, No. 21 looked back at the group with a serious face and warned them.

“Tere is one of the few places in the Free Underground that is well-known to the world. So there are a few things travelers should be aware of in order to pass through safely. First of all-”

“But Mr. 21, what is the Freedom Underpass?”

An oblivious Edith raises her hand and asks. Number 21 wanted to ignore it, but unfortunately she was the only one in the group who would listen to this explanation.

“… Simply put, it means a place where people who have great resentment towards the Empire gather.”

“aha!”

Edith, whose eyes had been shining brightly, once again had a puzzled look on her face, as if she was thinking about something.

“Hmm? But when I went to Sigmund’s territory with Mores the other day, there was no such precaution. There is only one village with an inn around here, so the Wolf Knights also said that they stay at Terre every time they go to and from the Imperial Capital.”

“… That’s because the people of Teresa are also picky about whom they pick a fight with.”

“aha!”

“Then what I’m going to say from now on-”

“Huh? But Mr. 21. I know it’s embarrassing to say this myself, but aren’t we a bit too strong for others to pick a fight about?”

Edith, who interrupted him mid-sentence this time, straightened her back while raising her giant warhammer.

“… … .”

Number 21 was extremely tired. It was like this just from dealing with her for a short while, so how on earth does Prince Mores manage to keep that woman as his dedicated maid?

“High-ranking nobles and knights are fine. They know that if they touch them, there will be repercussions. A merchant of a certain size is also fine. If even the occasional merchants stop by, it’s obvious what will happen to the already messed up northern economy.”

Number 21, who had said that, added strongly to Edith, who was quivering her lips again.

“But it’s different for unaffiliated peddlers, vagabonds, and simple travelers like us. No matter how strong each individual is, there are no exceptions. Do you understand?”

“Hmm? But Mr. 21-”

“Ah. I see. You. Are. You. Okay?”

“…yes.”

When Edith, who was pushed by the force, closed her mouth in a hesitant manner, No. 21 let out a long sigh that she had been holding back.

“Then listen carefully. First, as a citizen of the Empire, do not easily show off your superiority in front of others. Do not show off without any basis, and do not ignore the lifestyle and customs of the Ortonians.”

It was a natural caution, since most of them were from Ortona, a country with a strong sense of deprivation from the Empire.

It is best to remain unnoticed as much as possible, and even if they do discover that you are an imperial citizen, you should show them respect.

“Second, do not praise or speak in defense of His Majesty the Holy Emperor, the supreme ruler of Delcross.”

Many in the North blame the Empire for the fall of Ortona. Naturally, whenever they gather, they often strongly criticize the current state of affairs.

At this time, if you try to confront them with a sense of pointless loyalty, you will most likely turn the entire village into your enemy in an instant. If you do it wrong, you may be assaulted by a group or even lose your life.

“Third, if possible, do not show any religious behavior. Do not seek the Lord indiscriminately or pray to him.”

The belief in God itself is not a problem, since the North has also believed in God for a long time.

However, the problem was that many of those using the free underground passage were members of heretical sects, or dark religious groups.

It would be better if you didn’t show your faith. However, if you were to be discovered to be a devout Orthodox believer, you could be eliminated without anyone knowing by a dark cult that has come from somewhere.

“Oh, there’s a lot to keep in mind. I’ve already forgotten the first caution, so I don’t know if I can do it, Mr. 21.”

“Then just keep your mouth shut. Then everything will be resolved.”

“aha!”

After completing their preparations, the group cautiously entered the village of Tere.

“… … ?”

However, shortly after entering the village, No. 21 sensed a strange atmosphere somewhere different from usual. The atmosphere of the village, which was usually gloomy like other regions in the north, was strangely light and excited today.

I looked around in confusion-

Gyaruruk!

Children dressed in shabby clothes, smiling brightly and with faces dripping with sweat, run somewhere.

“Let’s go! Just listen to the explanation and you’ll see a fire show!”

“I saw it just now! It was a real magic trick where fire was flying in the air!”

“Wow! This is amazing!”

…fire show?

Although he was momentarily puzzled, No. 21 followed the group and headed toward the only inn in the village.

But something strange happened. As they got closer to the inn, more and more people started to gather around them.

When they finally reached the inn, the group was shocked to find a crowd so dense that they couldn’t even see the entrance. It seemed like all the villagers who could move were gathered here.

“…Enrique.”

At that moment, the Holy Emperor’s homunculus raised its head.

“Phe… Priest? Are you awake-?”

“There’s no time to explain. First, stop that maid.”

“yes?”

Before Number 21 could even grasp the meaning of that warning-

“Huh? Your Majesty?!”

Edith, who had discovered something, raised her head and dashed out through the crowd. Number 21 was startled and hurriedly grabbed her arm.

“Ms. Edith! Just a moment… … !”

And at that moment, No. 21 was also discovered.

A neat little boy standing proudly in the center of the crowd.

“… … ?!”

Number 21 doubted my eyes.

‘Mores… Prince?’

Can that really be true?

No, but no matter how I looked at it, the boy was definitely Prince Mores. Although he was wearing shabby clothes and was covered in black soot, it was not enough to hide the boy’s innate character and dignity.

“Mr. 21. It’s me! What on earth are you doing there?”

“Shhh! It seems like you’re hiding your identity!”

While trying to stop Edith from running away, No. 21 quickly looked around and assessed the situation.

A small stall at the entrance to the inn, and a boy standing in front of it with both arms raised confidently.

With a small, spinning flame above his head like a halo, the prince shouted at the audience.

“It’s not like the car comes every day!”

“… … !”

“Tea! How long are you going to drink such an old-fashioned beverage? Here, here is Teosinte tea, which is far superior in taste and effect, and even cheaper!”

… promotion?

The moment he realized the truth of the situation, No. 21 became dizzy. Why on earth was the prince of the Holy Empire setting up a stall in a place like this?

No, it wasn’t even a proper promotion. Right now, the prince was breaking every taboo No. 21 had ever thought of.

“No one in the Zodiac now drinks baseless beverages like medicinal tea! Why! Delcross now has a mysterious crop, teosinte! This teosinte is even expected to be exported to Brittany soon!”

The prince was now freely revealing his imperial affiliation and was cheerfully criticizing the lifestyles of the northerners.

“A popular product loved throughout the continent! Teosinte! The very taste that even His Majesty the Holy Emperor, the representative of the Lord, has approved! By the way, our great Majesty is a gourmet! And as befitting his dignity, he is also a very picky eater!”

He was even openly exalting Seonghwang and praising his authority – more precisely, his authority as a gourmet.

“Now! Look at this golden, splendid drink of the gods! The true grace of the gods that the Lord has bestowed upon the continent! Teosinte! If you drink this, you too will be just as successful as the imperial aristocrats! Once you taste it, you will never think of any old medicinal tea again!”

I am praising the grace of God with all my might.

It was a total mess.

‘… What on earth, what on earth is the prince doing now?’

No. 21, who was in extreme confusion, could not properly understand the situation even though he was staring at it with his eyes.

The only fortunate thing is that instead of being angry, people are looking at the prince with excited eyes.

Squeak.

No. 21 slowly turns his head and heads towards Priest Bart, who is being carried on the back of a savage. He is the only person who can explain the current situation.

“… … .”

The Holy Emperor, who had been silently staring at the scene before his eyes for a moment, sighed softly. Then he stretched out both hands and tightly covered Bartoza’s mouth.

Number 21 was puzzled, but after a while he immediately understood why.

“Teosinte, grown in the warm Anatolian geothermal heat, induces strong heat in the body! This miraculous drink even converted the barbarians of Varsha to the Empire!”

With the confident shout of Prince Mores-

A tall, slender warrior of the Barsha appeared, his feathers fluttering. It was Owen, looking more shabby than usual.

“I demand an upward adjustment of the compensation from Mr. Status Window!”

As he shouted in an unknown language, the gathered villagers became more agitated.

Groan, groan.

“Is that right, Varsha?”

“Hey! Is it true that Barshain has converted?”

“That’s amazing.”

Sparks flew into Bartoza’s eyes as he saw Owen’s appearance.

“Ow… Ugh! Ugh!”

Luckily, No. 21, who had been warned in advance, was able to quickly stop him with Seonghwang before the Barshain could shout loudly.

Meanwhile, Owen’s show continued.

All the way-

Owen, sipping on a glass of clear grain tea, lets out a loud cheer.

“Whoaap! Urgent quest level up prayer! Ajat!”

Crack! Crack!

The wooden planks that Sir Marsain had been holding high were shattered by Owen’s punch.

Ooooh-!

Innocent exclamations erupted from all over.

Without missing a beat, Prince Mores took another step forward, still holding the brightly glowing flame on his head.

“I’m going to give everyone a chance to experience the benefits of Teosinte now! There’s a lot of it here, so everyone take a sip!”

Then again, Masain Sir distributed several large bowls to the people. He looked as if he would be liberated at any moment.

The townspeople, as if possessed by something, rushed to share and drink the drinks.

“Now! The drink that surprised the continent, amazed Brittany, and astonished Rohan! Teosinte! There is a reason why many people choose it! Let’s taste this drink and enjoy the utmost health and happiness!”

With a voice that strangely digs deep into my heart-

Clank!

In the boy’s raised hand, a clear golden drink swayed deliciously.